The Champions League goes to Guardiola’s City, Inter’s dream fades: Rodri’s goal decides

Inter did not lift the fourth Champions League in their history, leaving Istanbul with a sea of ​​regrets for the many opportunities created, and wasted, in the second half in which City signed the winning goal with Rodri. An undeserved defeat, and matured by too many errors in the sills: from the chance of Lautaro, to the crossbar of Dimarco, to the ball devoured by Lukaku. A very heavy duty, paid with the ko. On the pitch, the difference told to the coward was not there at all.

Inzaghi does not deviate from the starting eleven that dragged him to the final. Brozovic –

preferred to Mkhitaryan – in directing, Dzeko wins the ballot with Lukaku and joins Lautaro, the real mouth of fire to whom Inter entrusts their dreams of glory. The same dreams of a City that Pep Guardiola prepares with the “fluid” 3-2-4-1: interchangeable positions with the exception of Haaland, with the Norwegian chasing yet another record in an unprecedented season.

City got off to a strong start and in the 5th minute went within an amen of the advantage: Bernando Silva, on the right-footed out, first aimed for Dimarco then let go with a left-footed shot that skimmed the post to Onana’s right. Having escaped the danger, and probably having paid the price to the mental strength of the citizens, Inter gained confidence and measured up. But the two lines of the City, with the four behind Haaland and with the Stones-Rodri duo – often shield Brozovic, forcing Onana to make some long raises. Brozovic himself tries from afar (19′), but the aim isn’t the best. As well as that of Barella (26′) who doesn’t take advantage of a wrong support from Ederson. In Inter’s best moment, City took the best chance of the first half. De Bruyne cues Haaland, the Norwegian slips out on a deep cut and crosses with his left foot finding Onana’s open hand. Shortly after the play that could have unlocked the match, Guardiola comes to terms with (bad) luck. De Bruyne accuses a problem with the adductors of his right thigh. A remake of what happened in the 2021 final in Oporto (lost against Chelsea), when the Belgian had to leave prematurely, even in that case. Foden goes inside, a sign of a very deep rose. On the other hand, five of the last six Premier Leagues are not won. At the break at 0-0, Inzaghi makes the first substitution in the 11th minute. Outside a dull Dzeko, inside Lukaku. And after another 2′, the lead ball appears on Lautaro’s feet. Akanji makes a mistake in the hallway, the mistake frees the Argentine who does not serve Lukaku but kicks Ederson. Inter find courage and field, yet in the moment of greatest propulsion for the Nerazzurri, City stamps their mark on the match. Minute 23, Akanji’s ball inside for Bernando Silva, the Portuguese crosses backwards, first finding Acerbi’s back and then Rodri’s big plate that nails Onana at the near post. Inter reacts and goes straight away from equal. Dimarco (28 ‘) hits the crossbar with his head, and Dimarco finds Lukaku incredibly on the rebound. It is the first sign of a final second half, in which Inzaghi’s team puts City on the ropes. What happens 2′ from the finish is unbelievable again. Gosens with his head finds Lukaku, the two-step goring of the number 90 slams into Ederson’s leg. A colossal regret that becomes squared when, in the very last breath, Gosens’ header finds a prodigious Ederson.